Lisbon principal hopes to make job permanent

Robert Austin began his teaching career 35 years ago, and took over as interim principal of Lisbon Central School this fall.

DEBORAH STRASZHEIM

Robert Austin began his teaching career 35 years ago, and took over as interim principal of Lisbon Central School this fall.

During the last two years, he served as assistant principal and taught math to seventh-graders in Lisbon. He’s not teaching now, but plans to apply for the permanent position as principal.

Austin has spent 20 years of his teaching career in Lisbon. His previous jobs included community outreach director at Westover Elementary School in Stamford, and team leader for the arts and problem solving group in Stamford, which includes the drama department.

He has interest in the arts outside of class; he’s written about 50 plays, some of which have been performed by students.

Q How will Lisbon Central School be different with you as principal?

A I’m going to be very visible. Not to say that the last administration wasn’t; that’s just my goal. I like walking through the school, I like walking through the classrooms, and I’m asking teachers if I can teach a lesson, too. I’ll be doing one (lesson) with seventh-graders on probability relating to the Connecticut lottery. I also expect to be here at 7:30 a.m. and I will be here late, if parents have any questions.

Q During the last two years, the relationship has been strained between the school department and community. How would you address this or improve the relationship?

A Parents have known me for the past 20 years. I’ve taught their children. I have parents coming in here now, who I’ve had in class. Simply based on that, the communication and the trust has improved. They know they can come into my office any time to discuss any situation they may have. I also try to attend as many of the extracurricular activities as possible, and if there are any ill feelings, that’s when I correct them. And rumors do surface.

Q Are there any new initiatives you planned for this school year?

A What we did as a staff — and I mean, everybody on our staff — was look at three areas: curriculum, morale and discipline. Teachers had to pick one of these committees to sit on, and we’ve been working close to a year on these committees. We have written reports that come to the main office, and I meet with them once a month, at 7 a.m. at a local restaurant. We discuss what is taking place.

Q Have you changed anything as a result of these meetings?

A Yes. Rather than have the students dropped off at the front of the school, we have them now at the back of the school, being dropped off by the senior center. We have a teacher who will greet the students. They are then led to the playground area, where the teachers have different color cards (based on grade level) and they stand in certain areas. So there’s no one cutting in front of the buses. That was our concern, as well as the congestion.

Q What do you think Lisbon Central School does best, and where could it use improvement?

A I believe it (does a good job) analyzing test results from the Connecticut Mastery Tests. We meet with a team called the adequate yearly progress team and make changes to students’ schedules and try to find ways to improve test scores. We’re serious about sending children out that door in eighth grade well prepared for high school. I would think the main office (could improve by) making sure it continues to communicate with the staff on what’s going on, and having the staff participate in the decisions that are made throughout the school year. And we’ve done a lot of that.

Q Why did you want to become an administrator?

A I’ve never wanted to look back and say, “I did not spend time with my own children.” If I were an administrator, I would not be able to leave at 3:15 to watch my boys play sports. Right now, my three boys are all grown up. I know I need to stay here, I need to stay visible. Now I have the freedom to do it, and I’m going to put 100 percent into this position and make it work.